Based out of the Lady Minto Hospital in Cochrane, ON, the full-time union position reports to the Team Leader of Pharmaceutical Services and is responsible for the safe preparation and distribution of medications.

• Graduate of a certified Pharmacy Technician program or completed the Pharmacy Technician bridging program
• Licensed or eligible for immediate licensure with the Ontario College of Pharmacists
• 1-2 years of Hospital pharmacy experience preferred
• Experience in sterile compounding, including chemotherapy preferred
• Experience with Meditech, unit dose packaging and automated dispensing units is considered an asset
• Purchasing and reconciliation experience is considered an asset
• Travel to other sites as required
• A satisfactory criminal record check will be required by the successful candidate as a condition of employment

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Reporting to the Pharmacy Manager, the Pharmacy Technician is responsible for dispensing medications including narcotics according to established departmental policies and procedures. The Pharmacy Technician is also responsible for compounding sterile, non-sterile, hazardous (including chemotherapy) and non-hazardous preparations, complete with necessary calculations. Pharmacy Technicians purchase medications and maintain the Pharmacy Inventory. Pharmacy Technicians verify the technical aspects of prescriptions including volume and final checks of prescription products for inpatients and outpatients. Pharmacy Technicians perform controlled and non-controlled technical and clerical duties according to hospital-established limits within the Ontario College of Pharmacists’ scope of practice for Pharmacy Technicians. Pharmacy Technicians assist in all departmental activities as assigned including quality improvement initiatives, committee work, implementing new technology or processes within the department, developing corresponding policies and procedures and assisting, mentoring and orientating new or inexperienced employees and/or students.

NATURE AND SCOPE

The Pharmacy Technician is responsible to act under the direction of the Pharmacy Manager or Pharmacist and to assist in the implementation of policies and procedures; drug preparation, use, control and recordkeeping; ordering and procurement; communication; drug information and education; and health and safety

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

Comply with established hospital policies, practices and standards in regards to patient safety and Occupational Health & Safety  

1) Dispensing

a. Perform all medication dispensing functions for inpatients and outpatients as per departmental policies and procedures

b. Prepare Leave of Absence Medications

c. Reconstitute products

d. Complete all associated documentation

e. Maintain and operate weigh balance

2) Repackaging of Medications

a. Repackaging and appropriately labeling oral solid dosage forms, liquid dosage forms, topical preparations and narcotics and controlled drugs and substances

3) Prepare and Dispense Ward Stock

a. Review and keep current ward stock lists checking to ensure appropriate stocking levels

4) Purchasing and Receiving Pharmaceuticals

a. Place purchase orders for drug purchases

b. Receive orders and reconcile with purchase orders

c. Investigate and resolve errors in shipping, damaged merchandise, incorrect invoices and outstanding purchase orders

d. Verify price charged vs contract price

e. Assist in management of drug shortages and back orders, i.e. investigate alternative vendors, determine quantity on hand

f. Maintain an adequate level of pharmaceuticals in the Pharmacy at all times g. Arrange return of expired pharmaceuticals

h. Certification and annual recertification in chemo spill clean-up procedures i. Address drug product recalls

j. Maintain and file pharmacy records related to dispensing, compounding, inventory control and narcotics and controlled substances

k. Maintain record of medication expiry dates for the hospitals, rotating stock and removing outdated medication from patient care areas in a timely fashion

l. Collaborate with Management regarding annual inventory count

5) Enter Patient Orders into the Pharmacy Computer System

6) Narcotic Control

a. Maintain adequate level of stock

b. Maintain an accurate count at all times

c. Supply all patient care areas with ward stock of Narcotic and Controlled drugs according to departmental policies and procedures

d. Complete all associated documentation for example perpetual inventory

e. Review and reconcile nursing Narcotic and Controlled Drug Administration Record (NCDAR) for accuracy of balance carried forward

f. Drug pre-packaging

g. Inventory control of expired/wasted narcotics

h. Destruction of expired/wasted narcotics as per legislation

i. Replenishment of Operating Room Narcotic Kits for use by the Anaesthesiologist

7) Prepare sterile and non-sterile, hazardous and non-hazardous dosage forms 

a. Preparation of oral and topical compounds

b. Preparation of drug additions to mini bags for intravenous administration

c. Preparation of CADD pump cassettes

d. Operate Biological Safety Cabinets 

e. Adherence to departmental cleaning schedules and use of PPE

f. Complete all associated labeling, documentation and workload stats

8) Chemotherapy 

a. Preparation of parenteral chemotherapy dosage forms, i.e. IV bags, syringes

b. Safe handling of chemotherapeutic agents 

c. Certification and annual recertification in chemo spill clean-up procedures

d. Operate Biological Safety Cabinets

e. Adhere to departmental cleaning schedules and use of PPE

f. Complete all associated labeling, documentation and workload stats

g. Maintain adequate level of stock

h. Compile list of chemotherapeutic agents to be ordered 

i. Prepare chemotherapy preparation schedule

9) Perform the volume check (where applicable) and final check of technical aspects for the following: 

a. Initial orders and refills for inpatients

b. Initial orders and refills for outpatients 

c. Repackaged medications

d. Sterile, non-sterile hazardous (including chemotherapy) and non-hazardous preparations

10) Monitoring Storage Areas

a. Monitor various medication storage areas of hospital for appropriate security, environmental controls, cleanliness and medication expiration

11) Collect and record workload and other statistics as per department requirements

12) Other duties as assigned within the Ontario College of Pharmacists standards and scope of practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

13) Unregulated Pharmacy Staff (Pharmacy Assistant)

a. In collaboration with and under the supervision of the pharmacist, designated manager or hospital delegate for pharmacy, prepare pharmaceutical products for release, conduct order entry and other tasks as delegated by the pharmacist or pharmacy technicians.

b. Unregulated staff are not permitted to conduct secondary checks or accept verbal/telephone orders.

HEALTH & SAFETY 

·        Work in compliance with the Ontario OH&S Act and Regulations 

·        Use personal protective equipment, clothing and safety devices in accordance with MICs Workplace Health & Safety and/or Infection Control policies and procedures 

·        Report any known missing or defective equipment to the Supervisor 

·        Report any known workplace hazard or safety issue to the Supervisor 

·        Report any known violation of the Ontario OH&S Act and Regulations to the Supervisor 

·        Use or operate equipment in a way that is not dangerous to self or others 

·        Participate in WHMIS programs and follow WHMIS information and instructions as required when using hazardous materials 

·        Comply with policies and processes to eliminate/minimize unsafe acts or conditions including identifying/reporting near miss and actual events 

·        Comply with MICs Emergency Plan policies and procedures as outlined for each type of emergency as required

PATIENT/RESIDENT SAFETY FOR TEAM MEMBERS 

·        Participate in promoting a culture of patient/resident safety 

·        Demonstrate a commitment to patient safety by speaking up about patient/resident safety issues and changing practices to reflect and enhance safety 

·        Participate in near miss and incident reporting through established reporting mechanisms and demonstrate shared accountability for safe practices  Participate in processes and strategies related to improving patient safety (Team Leaders are responsible to lead the team to establish processes and strategies related to improving patient safety.) 

·        Demonstrate knowledge of and abide by the requirements of practice for patient safety as outlined by Accreditation Canada (i.e. effective communication, infection prevention and control)

·        Participate in initial and ongoing patient safety education and take responsibility for maintaining competency (applicable in long-term positions only) 

·        Promote a work environment free from aggression and unacceptable behaviour by personal example and following organizational policies and Code of Conduct 

·        Demonstrate highest standards of customer and patient service for all internal and external interactions

QUALIFICATIONS

General

Must be registered with the Ontario College of Pharmacists 

·        1-3 years previous experience in hospital pharmacy is preferred. 

·        Previous experience with IV and Chemotherapeutic preparation will be considered an asset. 

·        Familiarity with the proper operation of laminar flow hood, analytical balance, packaging equipment and related software  

·        Knowledge and skills to operate the Pharmacy computer system considered an asset 

·        Must have the ability to communicate effectively 

·        Must possess the ability to work effectively and efficiently as a Team Member in a fast paced environment in stressful situations 

·        Must possess the patience, understanding and tact when dealing with staff and patients 

·        Customer service, interpersonal and telephone skills 

·        Employment history which demonstrates regular attendance at work 

·        Bilingualism (French & English) would be considered an asset. 

·        Must possess the physical ability to lift and move heavy objects, to stand, walk bend, push and pull, reach and crouch 

The preceding described duties are representative and should not be construed as all-inclusive.